Nectarine Tree Named &#39;Pearlicious XVII&#39;

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of nectarine tree,  Prunus persica,  broadly characterized by a medium size, moderately vigorous, hardy, self-fertile, productive and regular bearing tree. The variety blooms in the late season and requires about 650 chilling hours. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described in early September, with first picking on Sep. 2, 2012. The fruit is large in size, fairly globose in shape, clingstone in type, firm and melting in texture, white in flesh color, mostly red in skin color, and a tasty balance of light acid and sugar in flavor.

BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION

Prunus persica

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘Pearlicious XVII’

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

In a continuing effort to improve the quality of shipping fruits, I, theinventor, typically hybridize a large number of peach, nectarine, plum,apricot, and cherry seedlings each year. I also grow a smaller number ofopen pollinated seeds of each of these fruits, usually to capturerecessive traits. The present invention relates to a new and distinctvariety of nectarine tree, which has been denominated varietally as‘Pearlicious XVII’.

In the flowering season of 2003 I hybridized a first generation crossusing ‘28P1130’ (unpatented) yellow flesh freestone nectarine as theselected seed parent and ‘1P861’ (unpatented) white flesh nectarine asthe selected pollen parent. The fruit of this cross was gathered in thesummer of 2003, and the seeds were removed from the fruit, germinated,stratified, and grown as seedlings on their own root in my greenhouse.Upon reaching dormancy the following winter, the seedlings weretransplanted as a group to a cultivated area of my experimental orchardlocated near Le Grand, Calif., in Merced County (San Joaquin Valley).During the fruit evaluation season of 2007 I selected the presentvariety as a single tree from the group of seedlings described above.Subsequent to origination of the present variety of nectarine tree, Iasexually reproduced it by budding and grafting in the experimentalorchard described above, and such reproduction of tree and fruitcharacteristics were true to the original tree in all respects. Thereproduction of the variety included the use of ‘Nemaguard’ (unpatented)rootstock upon which the present variety was compatible and true totype.

While both of the parents are unpatented, the ‘1P861’ nectarine wasitself a first generation cross between ‘Bright Pearl’ (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 9,359) white flesh nectarine as its selected seed parent and‘Diamond Ray’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,848) yellow flesh nectarine as itsselected pollen parent.

The present variety is similar to its grand-parent, ‘Bright Pearl’nectarine (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,359) by being self-fertile andproducing white flesh clingstone nectarines, but is quite distinguishedtherefrom by having a sweet instead of bitter kernel and by maturingabout fifty days later.

The present variety is similar to its pollen grand-parent, ‘Diamond Ray’nectarine (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,948) by being self-fertile andproducing clingstone nectarines, but is quite distinguished therefrom byhaving globose instead of reniform leaf glands and producing fruit thatis white instead of yellow in flesh color and that matures about sixtydays later.

The present variety is similar to its seed parent, ‘28P1130,’ in severalaspects, such as producing nectarines that are firm and mostly red inskin color, but it is quite distinguished therefrom by producingnectarines that are white flesh instead of yellow flesh, that areclingstone instead of freestone, and that ripen about ten days later.

The present variety is similar to its pollen parent, ‘1P861,’ in severalaspects, such as producing nectarines that are firm, clingstone, andmostly red in skin color, but it is quite distinguished therefrom byproducing nectarines that ripen about twenty-five days later.

The present variety is most similar to ‘Snow Pearl’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.14,695) nectarine by having a moderately vigorous tree, having globoseleaf glands, being self-fertile, and producing white flesh clingstonenectarines that are firm, are mostly red in skin color, and have a sweetkernel, but is distinguished therefrom by producing fruit that is largerin size, matures about fifteen days later, is somewhat sweeter, and is abalance of light acid and sugar rather than sub-acid in flavor.

SUMMARY OF VARIETY

In summary, the present nectarine variety is characterized by a mediumsize, moderately vigorous, hardy, self-fertile, productive and regularbearing tree. The variety blooms in the late season and requires about650 chilling hours. The fruit matures under the ecological conditionsdescribed in early September, with first picking on Sep. 2, 2012. Thefruit is large in size, fairly globose in shape, clingstone in type,firm and melting in texture, white in flesh color, mostly red in skincolor, and a tasty balance of light acid and sugar in flavor.

DRAWING

The accompanying photograph consists of four whole fruits positioned todisplay the characteristics of the skin color and form, one dividedfruit to reveal the flesh and stone, two insets to reveal buds and ablossoms, and characteristic leaves.

POMOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Referring now more specifically to the pomological characteristics ofthis new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, the following has beenobserved under the ecological conditions prevailing near Le Grand,Merced County (San Joaquin Valley), Calif., and was developed at thestate of firm ripe on Sep. 10, 2012, on the original tree during itsninth growing season. The blossom and flower descriptions were made theprevious blooming season. All major color code designations are byreference to the Inter-Society Color Council, National Bureau ofStandards. Common color names are also used occasionally.

-   Parentage:    -   -   Seed parent.—‘28P1130’ nectarine (unpatented).        -   Pollen parent.—‘1P861’ nectarine (unpatented).-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—Medium, reaching and maintaining a height of 10′ [3.05            m.] and a spread of 6′ [1.83 m.] after nine growing seasons            utilizing typical dormant pruning.        -   Vigor.—Moderately vigorous, responding typically to            irrigation and fertilization. The variety grows about 3′            [0.91 m.] of surplus top-growth during the spring and            summer. The plant should be grown on a standard commercial            rootstock for production purposes.        -   Growth.—Spreading and dense.        -   Form.—Vase type.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy with respect to central California winters.        -   Approximate chilling requirement.—650 hours.        -   Heat tolerance.—Observed to perform adequately in typical            central California climatic conditions, which typically            include extended periods of heat.        -   Drought tolerance.—Variety is developed for commercial            orchards and requires regular irrigation.        -   Production.—Productive, thinning necessary.        -   Fertility.—Self-fertile.        -   Bearing.—Regular bearer with no alternate bearing yet            observed.        -   Trunk.—Size. — Medium, reaching a maximum diameter of 4″            [101.6 mm.] after the ninth growing season. Texture. —            Slightly shaggy. Bark Color. — A Light grayish brown [60.            l.gy.Br] and Grayish brown [61. gy.Br] variegation with a            few Brownish gray [64. brGy] crevices. Lenticels. —            Approximate Number Per Square Inch: 5. Color: Deep orange            yellow [69. deep OY]. Average Size: ¼″ [6.4 mm.] in length,            1/16″ [1.6 mm.] in diameter. Shape: Eye-shaped, elongated.        -   Branches.—Size. — Diameter of main scaffold is 2¼″ [57.2            mm.] measured 12″ above the crotch, Diameter of limb is 1⅜″            [34.9 mm.] measured 12″ above the first fork. Texture. —            Smooth on first year wood, increasing roughness with age.            Color. — 1st Year Wood Topside: Grayish red [19. gy.R]. 1st            Year Wood Underside: Brilliant yellow green [116. brill.YG].            Second Year Wood: Grayish brown [61. gy.Br]. Third Year            Wood: Light grayish brown [60. l.gy.Br]. Lenticels. — Number            Per Square Inch: More than 30 on second year wood. Color:            Dark orange yellow [72. d.OY]. Size: ⅛″ [3.2 mm.] to 1/16″            [1.6 mm.] in length on second year wood. Diameter is            typically one fourth as much as the length. Shape:            Eye-shaped, elongated.        -   Leaves.—Size. — Large. Average Length: 5⅜″ [136.5 mm.].            Average Width: 1¾″ [44.5 mm.]. Arrangement. — Alternate.            Thickness. — Medium. Form. — Elliptical. Apex. — Acuminate.            Base. — Young leaves are mostly acute, older leaves are            rounded to obtuse. Surface. — Smooth. Color. — Dorsal            Surface: Moderate olive green [125. m.OlG]. Ventral Surface:            Moderate yellow green [120. m.YG]. Margin. — Finely serrate.            Venation. — Pinnately net veined. Vein Color. — Light yellow            green [119. l.YG]. Petiole. — Average Length: ½″ [12.7 mm.].            Average Thickness: 1/16″ [1.6 mm.]. Color: Brilliant yellow            green [116. brill.YG]. Stipules. — Number: Usually 2 per            leaf, up to 6 per growing tip. Average Length: ⅜″ [9.5 mm.].            Color: Moderate yellow green [120. m.YG] becoming Grayish            brown [61. gy.Br] with maturity. Glands. — Number: 1 to 4            per leaf. Position: Alternately positioned on petiole and            base of blade. Size: Medium. Form: Globose on young leaves,            becoming a reniform shape with age. Color: Brilliant yellow            green [116. brill.YG] becoming Dark grayish brown [62.            d.gy.Br] in the center with age. Leaf Buds. — Pointed,            medium in size.        -   Flower buds.—Hardiness. — Hardy, with respect to central            California winters. Diameter. — Typically ⅜″ [9.5 mm.] 1            week before bloom. Length. — Typically 9/16″ [14.3 mm.] 1            week before bloom. Form. — Not appressed. Surface. —            Pubescent. Tip Color. — Moderate purplish pink [250. m.pPk].        -   Flowers.—Perfect, complete, perigynous, usually a single            pistil, about thirty stamens, five sepal and petal locations            alternately positioned. Type. — Showy, large. Average Flower            Diameter. — 1⅞″ [47.6 mm.]. Average Flower Depth. — 7/16″            [11.1 mm.] when fully open. Number of Petals. — Mostly five,            extra petal fragments or double blossoms are occasionally            observed. Petal Shape. — Circular to oval. Petal Margin. —            Entire, slightly wavy. Average Petal Diameter. — ¾″ [19.1            mm.]. Average Petal Length. — 13/16″ [20.6 mm.]. Petal Apex.            — Rounded. Petal Base. — Rounded to somewhat truncate. Petal            Color. — Pale pink [7. p.Pk] toward the apex, Deep purplish            pink [248. deep pPk] toward the base on both sides. Anther            Color. — Very red [11. v.R] over a Light yellow [86. l.Y]            center at bloom onset. Stigma Color. — Pale yellow green            [121. p.YG]. Sepal Color. — Dark purplish red [259. d.pR] on            the outer surface. The inner surface is a somewhat            translucent Pinkish white [9. pk White] with both Grayish            purplish red [262. gy.pR] and Vivid yellow green [116.            brill.YG] areas visible. Sepal Outer Surface. — Pubescent.            Sepal Length. — 5/16″ [7.9 mm.]. Sepal Width. — 3/16″ [4.8            mm.]. Sepal Apex. — Rounded to elliptical. Sepal Margin. —            Fairly smooth. Average Pistil Length. — 11/16″ [17.5 mm.].            Average Stamen Length. — 9/16″ [14.3 mm.]. Fragrance. —            Moderate. Blooming Period. — Medium to late, one day after            ‘September Bright’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,475) nectarine.            Onset of Bloom. — One percent on Feb. 27, 2012. Date of Full            Bloom. — Mar. 8, 2012. Duration of Bloom. — One to two            weeks, dependent on ambient temperature. Number per cluster.            — 1 to 3 with single flowers most common.-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity when described.—Firm ripe, Sep. 10, 2012.        -   Date of first picking.—Sep. 2, 2012.        -   Date of last picking.—Sep. 16, 2012.        -   Size.—Uniform, large. Average Diameter Axially. — 2⅞″ [73.0            mm.]. Average Diameter Across Cheek Plane. — 3″ [76.2 mm.].            Average Diameter Across Suture Plane. — 3″ [76.2 mm.].            Typical Weight. — 9.7 ounces [274.9 grams].        -   Form.—Uniform, globose and slightly compressed axially.            Longitudinal Section Form. — Round. Transverse Section            Through Diameter. — Round.        -   Suture.—Extends from the base, continues along the side, and            ends just past the pistil point. Near the Base. — A shallow            groove. Along the Side. — A shallow trough. Near the Apex. —            A medium groove.        -   Ventral surface.—Rounded, lipped toward the apex on both            sides.        -   Lips.—Slightly unequal.        -   Cavity.—Flaring, slightly elongated in the suture plane,            suture showing on one side, Yellowish white [92. yWhite]            stem markings typical. Depth. — ⅝″ [15.9 mm.]. Breadth. —            1⅜″ [34.9 mm.].        -   Base.—Truncate.        -   Apex.—Rounded, cordate if viewed parallel to the suture.        -   Pistil point.—Some apical and some oblique, mostly depressed            within the suture.        -   Stem.—Medium. Average Length. — ⅜″ [9.5 mm.]. Average Width.            — 3/16″ [4.8 mm.].        -   Skin.—Thickness. — Medium. Surface. — Smooth. Tenacity. —            Tenacious to flesh. Astringency. — Nonastringent. Tendency            to Crack. — None observed in a dry season. Color. — Dark red            [16. d.R] mottled with Moderate pink [5. m.Pk] over a            Yellowish white [92. yWhite] background with some Pale            orange yellow [73. p.OY] freckling.        -   Flesh.—Color. — Greenish white [153. gWhite] to Yellowish            white [92. yWhite] with Dark red [16. d.R] streaking next to            the stone. Surface of Pit Cavity. — Covered with Dark red            [16. d.R] broken fibers when twisted from the stone.            Amygdalin. — Moderate. Juice. — Abundant, rich. Texture. —            Firm, crisp, melting. Fibers. — Abundant, fine. Ripens. —            Fairly even, slightly earlier at the apex. Flavor. — A tasty            balance of light acid and strong sugar, typically 20 brix.            Aroma. — Slight. Eating Quality. — Very good.-   Stone:    -   -   Type.—Clingstone.        -   Form.—Oval.        -   Hilum.—Narrow.        -   Base.—Truncate.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Sides.—Equal.        -   Surface.—Irregularly furrowed near the apex, pitted toward            the base.        -   Ridges.—Jagged.        -   External color.—Dark brown [59. d.Br].        -   Pit wall color when cracked.—Moderate brown [58. m.Br].        -   Cavity surface color.—Strong brown [55. s.Br].        -   Average pit wall thickness.— 5/16″ [7.9 mm.].        -   Average width.—1¼″ [31.8 mm.].        -   Average length.—1¾″ [44.5 mm.].        -   Average breadth.—⅞″ [22.2 mm.].        -   Tendency to split.—None observed.        -   Kernel.—Form. — Oval. Skin Color. — Deep orange yellow [69.            deep OY] when first removed. Pellicle Color. — Moderate            brown [58. m.Br]. Vein Color. — Moderate brown [58. m.Br].            Taste. — Sweet. Viable. — Yes. Average Width. — 9/16″ [14.3            mm.]. Average Length. — 15/16″ [23.8 mm.]. Amygdalin. —            Scant.-   Use:    -   -   Market.—Fresh market and long distance shipping.        -   Keeping quality.—Good. Fruit quality observed to remain in            good condition after 21 days in standard cold room at 36°            Fahrenheit [2° Celsius].        -   Shipping quality.—Good.        -   Resistance to insects.—No unusual susceptibilities noted.        -   Resistance to diseases.—No unusual susceptibilities noted.-   Other notes: Although the new variety of nectarine tree possesses    the described characteristics under the ecological conditions at Le    Grand, Calif., in the central part of the San Joaquin Valley, it is    to be expected that variations in these characteristics may occur    when farmed in areas with different climatic conditions, different    soil types, and/or varying cultural practices.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, substantiallyas illustrated and described, that is most similar to ‘Snow Pearl’ (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 14,695) nectarine by having a moderately vigorous tree,having globose leaf glands, being self-fertile, and producing whiteflesh clingstone nectarines that are firm, are mostly red in skin color,and have a sweet kernel, but is distinguished therefrom by producingfruit that is larger in size, matures about fifteen days later, issomewhat sweeter, and is a balance of light acid and sugar rather thansub-acid in flavor.